Our fleeting visit to Hong Kong was well worth it, it's just a shame we couldn't stay longer! I think the best way to describe HK is how China would be if it became organised, clean and developed manners! It really was a whirlwind, arriving and departing the hostel in 24 hours, but in between we managed to catch the famous star ferry across to Kowloon, the views beat those of New York, and perhaps second only to when you first glimpse the industry on Teesside co...

So we are over one month into our adventure, and 9 days into our oriental leg, and we are onboard our 2nd Chinese sleeper train for our fleeting visit to Hong Kong. We have mastered the art of buying train tickets, so we now own the bottom two bunks, and some other unlucky soul can occupy the bunk in the sky. So high you can lick the roof, as Claire can vouch for on our last trip from Beijing to Xian! So here are the highlights of China so far..... Beijing Be...

The first week in China has flown/wobbled by! Firstly the 'cruise' from Kobe was an experience to behold. We are fast learning the word 'experience' means 'brutal' in the same way describing a hostel as having 'charachter' means it is probably going to be freezing cold and around 400 years old! It all adds to the 'experience' mind! Back to the cruise.... We arrived at the port terminal 3 hours ahead of boarding, to find it was totally closed with nothing for m...

Guuuuuuuuudddddd morning campers!!!! We are in Beijing!!! Been here 1 day and the spit count is already up to 43....gross!! However, what makes up for this is how cheap everything is. John just ordered a full american breakfast for £2.50...however a spring roll and onion ring can not be called bacon and mushrooms as described on the menu. But, IT'S CHEAP and it's the first proper breakfast we have had since we set off. I ordered a continental breakfast and I'...

The temples here are amazing, but this one had a massive buddha in it so this one was my fav! Top of the pops, cream of crop, gold medal winner....you get the picture! John and I have seen our fare share of temples and shrines now at this stage of our tour of Japan, but this Buddha sat in this temple was like 13metres tall, solid metal and coated in gold!!! 'twas amazing! What is also very nice is the deer in this area. At one point John suggested I buy cracker...